Robert Olstein is the chairman and chief investment officer of the Olstein Financial Fund. Olstein selects stocks by looking behind the numbers. He emphasizes a detailed look behind the numbers of a company's financial statement to assess the company's financial strength and assess potential downside risk. To be considered for his selection, a company must generate more cash flow than necessary to sustain the business, avoid aggressive accounting practices, demonstrate balance sheet fundamentals that are consistent with his defense first approach and be selling at a discount to the private market value.

Over the past quarter Olstein purchased 16 new stocks bringing his total to 129 stocks valued at $731 million. The following five companies represent Olstein’s top five stock holdings.

Robert Olstein’s largest holding over the past quarter was in Legg Mason where he held on to 275,800 shares of the company’s stock. This position makes up for 1.9% of his total portfolio as well as 0.22% of the company’s shares outstanding.

During the first quarter Olstein reduced his position -15.76% by selling a total of 51,600 shares of the company’s stock. He sold these shares near the estimated average quarterly price of $44.53 per share, and from this average price, the price per share is trading up about 6.2%.

Olstein’s historical holding history:

Legg Mason, through its subsidiaries, provides investment management and related services to institutional and individual clients, company-sponsored mutual funds and other pooled investment vehicles. It offers these products and services directly and through various financial intermediaries.

Legg Mason’s historical revenue and net income:

The analysis on Legg Mason reports that the company’s revenue has been in decline over the past five years, its dividend yield is near a 2-year low and its price is near a 5-year high.

Olstein’s second largest holding goes to Dillard’s where he owns 150,000 shares of the company’s stock. His position in the company makes up for 1.9% of his total assets managed as well as 0.46% of the company’s shares outstanding.

During the past quarter Olstein increased his holdings 31.58% by purchasing 36,000 shares of the company’s stock. He bought these shares near the average first quarter price of $90.48 per share. Since then the price per share has increased approximately 22.7%.

Olstein’s historical holding history:

Dillard’s operates as fashion apparel, cosmetic and home furnishing retailer. It also operates a general contracting construction company, CDI Contractors, LLC and CDI Contractors, Inc., whose business includes constructing and remodeling stores of the Company.

Dillard’s historical revenue and earnings growth:

The analysis on Dillard’s reports that the company has a high Piotroski F-Score, indicating a healthy situation for the company, and it also notes that the company’s price and P/B ratio are both trading at near 10-year highs.

The Peter Lynch Chart suggests that the company is currently undervalued:

Dillard’s has a market cap of $4.88 billion. Its shares are currently trading at around $110.00 with a P/E ratio of 15.80, a P/S ratio of 0.60 and a P/B ratio of 2.20. The company had an annual average earnings growth of 33.30% over the past five years.

The guru’s third largest holding goes to Macy’s where he holds on to 218,000 shares of the company’s stock. This position makes up for 1.8% of his total holdings as well as 0.06% of the company’s shares outstanding.

During the first quarter Olstein cut his stake -0.15% by purchasing 5,000 shares of Macy’s. He sold these shares at around the average quarterly price of $55.60 per share. Since then the price per share has jumped up approximately 4.3%.

Olstein’s holding history as of the first quarter:

Macy's is an omnichannel retail store that sells a range of merchandise, including men's, women's and children's apparel and accessories, cosmetics, home furnishings and other consumer goods.

Macy’s historical revenue and net income:

The analysis on Macy’s reports that the company’s Piotroski F-Score is high, indicating a healthy situation for the company, and that the company’s price and P/B ratio are both trading near a 10-year high.

The Peter Lynch Chart suggests that the company is currently undervalued:

Macy’s has a market cap of $21.31 billion. Its shares are currently trading at around $58.07 with a P/E ratio of 14.80, a P/S ratio of 0.80 and a P/B ratio of 3.70. The dividend yield of Macy’s is currently at 1.70%.

Robert Olstein’s fourth largest position is in International Game Technology where he holds on to 854,000 shares of the company’s stock. This holding makes up for 1.6% of the guru’s total portfolio holdings as well as 0.32% of the company’s shares outstanding.

During the first quarter Olstein upped his holdings 41.81% by purchasing 251,800 shares of the company’s stock. He bought these stocks near the average quarterly price of $15.47 per share. From this average price the price per share has dropped -19.8%.

Olstein’s historical holding history:

International Game Technology is a global gaming company specializing in the design, manufacture, and marketing of electronic gaming equipment and systems products. IGT has two revenue streams within each business segment gaming operations and product sales.

International Game Technology’s historical revenue and net income:

The analysis on International Game Technology reports that the company’s Piotroski F-Score is high, its dividend yield is near a 3-year high and its P/S and P/B ratios are trading at historic lows.

The Peter Lynch Chart suggests that the company is currently undervalued:

International Game Technology has a market cap of $3.57 billion. Its shares are currently trading at around $14.49 with a P/E ratio of 14.20, a P/S ratio of 1.60 and a P/B ratio of 3.10. The company had an annual average earnings growth of 4.70% over the past five years.

Olstein’s fifth largest position is in Vitamin Shoppe where he holds on to 225,000 shares of the company’s stock. This position makes up for 1.5% of his total portfolio and 0.74% of the company’s shares outstanding.

Over the past quarter the guru upped his holdings 36.36% by purchasing 60,000 shares of the company’s stock. He bought these near the estimated average quarterly price of $45.81. Since then the price per share has dropped approximately -5.4%.

Olstein’s historical holding history:

Vitamin Shoppe is a specialty retailer and direct marketer of vitamins, minerals, herbs, specialty supplements, sports nutrition and other health and wellness products.

Vitamin Shoppe’s historical revenue and net income:

The analysis on Vitamin Shoppe reports that the company holds no debt and its operating margin is expanding. It also notes that the company’s price, P/E ratio, P/S ratio, and P/B ratio are all trading at historic lows.

Vitamin Shoppe has a market cap of $1.33 billion. Its shares are currently trading at around $43.35 with a P/E ratio of 20.00 and a P/S ratio of 1.20. The company had an annual average earnings growth of 9.90% over the past five years.

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